Malaria can be caused by several species of the Plasmodium parasite. Parasitic lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) is found in many Plasmodium species and levels of this intracellular enzyme are elevated during the blood-stage of infection. Detection of this enzyme in blood is a strong indicator of malaria infection.

ViroStat has released new pLDH monoclonal antibodies that are reactive with: Pl. falciparum, Pl. malariae and Pl. vivax. One pair of these antibodies can detect pLDH from all 3 species by ELISA. These new antibodies can be powerful immunoassay tools for malaria detection.